overact — (v.) 1610s, to go too far in action, from OVER (Cf. over) + ACT (Cf. act) (v.). Meaning to play a part with too much emphasis, to chew the scenery is from 1630s. Related: Overacted; overacting … Etymology dictionary

overact — ► VERB ▪ act a role in an exaggerated manner … English terms dictionary

overact — [ō΄vərakt′] vt., vi. to act (a dramatic role) in an exaggerated way … English World dictionary